Gavaskar slams Kohli for swearing at Aussies

Gavaskar slams Kohli for swearing at Aussies

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar disapproved of young batsman Virat Kohli swearing at the Australian players after scoring a century in the final cricket Test at Adelaide on Thursday, terming it as "school kid" temperament.

Kohli had a wild celebration after reaching his century with some choicest of words against the Australian players, and Gavaskar said it was unnecessary.

"Not just Virat, some other Indian players also. Instead of smiling after taking a wicket they were snarling. They were taking out something onto somebody. If somebody taunted you on the field show it by scoring runs or taking wickets," Gavaskar said.

"Virat and some other youngsters were swearing at the opponents. That is like having a temperament of school kid cricket. They should not do that.

"When a Tendulkar, Dravid or a Laxman scored a century they just raised the bat. By swearing or doing something like that brings down the focus," the former captain added.

'Saha's application was very good and took the attack to the Australians'

Gavaskar, however, praised Kohli for the application he showed in his innings of 116 in India's first innings.

"What Virat has shown with his knock was that runs can be scored if you apply yourself. It shows he is a thinking cricketer. He will score lots of runs in future if he continues like that," Gavaskar told NDTV.

Gavaskar also applauded wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha for his gritty knock of 35 but said it was too early to say that he could replace captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in Tests as wicket-keeper.

"His application was very good and took the attack to the Australians. That's important considering that temperament has been a let down among the batsmen and bowlers. He was calm and cool. I think he knew that he wants to make a case for his place in the Test team as a batsman," said Gavaskar.

Image: Wriddhiman Saha hits out with Brad Haddin of Australia looking on during day three

'There is a very good chance to save the Test'

"When Dhoni comes into the Test team, Saha cannot be selected as a wicket-keeper. Let's not jump the gun and it's too early to say that Saha can replace Dhoni as Test wicket-keeper. Dhoni has done a yeoman service to the country," he added.

Gavaskar also said that India still has the chance to save the Adelaide Test as the pitch was still assisting batsman.

"There is a very good chance to save the Test. The Indian batsmen can take the lead from Virat and Saha and even Ishant who hung on for a while with Virat. Apply yourself and don't do anything silly.

"Nothing much is happening on the pitch except for odd balls climbing up. I think they will get four-and-a-half or five sessions to bat on and if they bat sensibly they can save the Test," Gavaskar said.

Image: Shaun Marsh eaves the field after being dismissed by Zaheer Khan on day three